Tag: Worshiping God

These weeks leading up to Thanksgiving (for those of us in the United States) are a great time to consider gratitude. In these shorter posts, let’s explore some quotes about gratitude and see how we can prepare our hearts for the coming holiday season.

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Times have changed since the day the Pilgrims stepped foot on unfamiliar soil. Many died on the journey from Europe to what would become America. Those who made it barely survived those first couple of winters. And yet, their hearts were set on something much greater than survival.

Their minds focused on sustaining their community, but they were not consumed by the thought of how much could they prosper here.

These men and women chose a dangerous voyage with one hope—freedom to worship God in honesty and without persecution.

Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—SING. This largely unedited “rough draft” form of writing stretches this perfectionist, in the best of ways. I write for five minutes on a given topic. If you’re interested in learning more about 5-Minute Fridays, check out our hostess, Kate Motaung’s site. Or, click on the link at the bottom of this post. As you read my simpler Friday posts, I hope you’ll join in the conversation!

***I confess, for as much as I thought I had to say about singing, I couldn’t get my thoughts down coherently. I hope you enjoy it anyway. :)***

SING

Today, I attended my youngest’s final elementary school concert. The bittersweet that welled up in me took my by surprise. We’re approaching the end of another life chapter. Next year, he’ll be in junior high, growing and changing.

I loved the concert today. The energy of those sweet young voices filled the cafetorium with a fun energy that left the audience smiling. These kids had a confidence as they sang their songs.

Some sang with smiles creasing their faces. Others sang so serious. Some heads bobbed in time to their music. Some kids shared dances, others played instruments that enhanced the accompaniment.

There’s something about singing that is powerful. Singing has the ability to lift spirits, to clarify confused feelings, to replace anxiety with peace.

Singing can unite people of different belief systems. When believers sing in worship those doctrinal differences seem to slip away, at least for a little while.

Song creates a depth of emotion that the spoken word never can. The music, the words set to tune, the harmonies . . . these all speak to the depths of our souls.

Singing transcends the human condition.

It’s going to be humbling and amazing to worship Jesus standing next to His angels. The purity of worship in heaven will be more than I can comprehend this side of the veil.

God talks a lot in the Bible about singing. And it has nothing to do with the quality of our voices. It’s all about the heart the song comes from.

My hope for my son, and his classmates, is that they will come to understand the beauty of singing together. Many voices singing one (or two or three) notes. And the beauty of heart-level living.

And for their mothers to watch in wonder as their children grow and mature.

What about you? Are you a shower singer or an in-front-of-people singer? What strikes you the most about singing?

I was reading inEzekiel 46 recently. This chapter talks about how the prince went into and out of the temple to worship the Lord. Verse ten says the prince goes into the temple among the people, and out among the people. It got me thinking about how—though he was elevated in his position, his importance in the community—he was still on equal footing with everyone else before God.

Jeanne Takenaka writes contemporary inspirational fiction that deals with real life issues with a heart to draw women closer to God and to those around them. She is wife to one amazing man who is her real life hero, and mother to two exuberant boys who hope to one day have a dog of their own. She loves being God’s girl always learning about His grace, hanging out with friends and enjoying a great cup of coffee. She and her family live near the mountains in Colorado. She is a member of ACFW and My Book Therapy Voices.

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Each Tuesday and most Fridays I post on topics relating to life, relationships and those passions held in hearts and lived out each day.

All written content and photographs are property of Jeanne Takenaka, unless otherwise attributed, and are protected by copyright.